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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte to address the nation from Davao on Monday

Duterte to address the nation from Davao on Monday

Published Sep 20, 2020 08:19 pm

President Duterte is expected meet with key government officials on the coronavirus pandemic response and deliver a public address from Davao City on Monday, Malacañang said Sunday.

The President, whose public engagements have been limited for his health and safety, returned to his hometown over the weekend, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

"Yes. He's in Davao now," Roque said in a message to reporters.

Prior to his address to the nation, the President will meet with several Cabinet members, who are also part of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases, on the government's efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.  

More than 286,000 people have become infected with the coronavirus in the country. The death toll has reached 4,984 as of September 20.

In August, Duterte spent nearly a month in Davao City, considered longest he stayed in his hometown since he took office in 2016. At the time, rumors about Duterte's supposed medical trip to Singapore spread, that prompted the President to appear in a Facebook video just to show he was in Davao all along.

Before the pandemic struck, the President often flew home to Davao City to be with his family during weekends. He usually stays in Manila during weekdays.

In his September 14 address, the President said the country was fighting "a deadly enemy," asking the nation not to be complacent in taking health precautions against the coronavirus.

Duterte likewise remained hopeful that a coronavirus vaccine will be available by December, saying the government will prioritize buying supplies from Russia or China. He also criticized pharmaceutical companies of western nations for supposedly asking for advance payments for their vaccine offers.

Except for Metro Manila and few other areas, the country is largely under the relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until the end of September as the government moves to boost economic activities while sustaining testing, tracing and treatment efforts to slow down the outbreak.

Apart from Metro Manila, areas under the relaxed GCQ are Bulacan, Batangas and Tacloban City.  Iloilo City, Bacolod City, and Lanao del Sur have been placed under stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month due to the reported surge in coronavirus cases. 

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